KELSEYVILLE >> With the unseasonably hot dry summer and fall and no relief from the drought in sight, it is critical to be adequately prepared for another potentially catastrophic fire season. The challenge is how to proactively prepare homes and neighborhoods to prevent wildfires.
The Clear Lake Riviera Community Association (CLRCA) will hold a community meeting Tuesday in its community room to address fire safety and emergency preparedness.
Experts will inform attendees about how individual households can increase fire safety and how the community can work together in taking steps to become certified as a “Fires Wise Community”.
Certification provides communities the opportunity to apply for funding and other resources that will help promote ongoing fire safety measures such as weed abatement on unimproved properties and education campaigns.
CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli, Jeff Tunnell with the Bureau of Land Management and Lake County Fire Safe Council Projects Coordinator Linda Juntunen, will speak at the community meeting.
Additionally, Marisa Chilafoe, manager for the Lake County Office of Emergency Services, will provide an overview of how communities can develop emergency evacuation plans considering geographic and demographic variables. Chilafoe will describe the technical assistance available and present how the CLRCA can access county resources to develop an emergency response team including training, supplies and equipment.
“Given the likelihood of another severe fire season next year, it is imperative that our community plans accordingly. It is anticipated that the information provided at the meeting will get us ready to take action,” CLRCA President Tom Harty stated.
All association residents are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn how they can become involved in preventing and mitigating fires and other types of disasters in the community and provide input into plans for the community.
For more information contact the association office manager at 277-7281 or manager@clrca.com.
The CLRCA community room is located at 9689 Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville.
